Gangplank vs Kayle Counter Pick
Matchup Summary
What the Data Means
Gangplank, the Saltwater Scourge, meets Kayle, the Righteous, in the Top lane. Over 1,052 ranked games on patch 16.13.1, Gangplank closes out 45.0% of them. Sitting 5.0 points below the 50% line marks Kayle as a genuine problem pick for Gangplank.
Watch the cooldowns that swing it: Gangplank’s Parrrley (Q) against Kayle’s Starfire Spellblade (E). Whoever spends Cannon Barrage or Divine Judgment first hands the other a window.
Both champions are melee (Gangplank at 125, Kayle at 175), so the lane is decided by cooldowns rather than reach.
Both sides lean physical, meaning Kayle and Gangplank shop from the same defensive shelf. Before items it is 630 HP, 31 armour, 32 MR for Gangplank; 670, 26, 22 for Kayle. Gangplank starts 5 armour ahead, which is felt before either buys anything. At full build levels the gap widens to 2568 HP versus 2234, favouring Gangplank. Gangplank also hits harder before items — 64 AD to 50. Base movement favours Gangplank — 345 versus 335.
Behind 45.0% are 1,052 games against Kayle, not a handful of anecdotes.
FAQ
No — current data marks this as a counter matchup: Kayle has the statistical edge. Gangplank wins 45.0% of the recorded games.
45.0% from Gangplank's perspective, measured on patch 16.13.1.
1,052 ranked games at Emerald rank and above, across all regions.
The current Gangplank build — items, runes and skill order from the same data set — is on the Gangplank build page.